Drugs containing reduced of vitamin b2

ABSTRACT

Preventives and remedies with an excellent immunopotentiating effect for infections, sepsis and/or septic shock. More specifically, immunopotentiators/preventitives and remedies for infections and remedies for sepsis and septic shock comprising as the active ingredient reduced riboflavin and/or reduced riboflavin derivatives or pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to medicines to prevent and/or treat microbial infections from bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc., sepsis and septic shock by regulating the immune function of humans and animals.

RELATED ART

[0002] Antibiotics such as antibacterial agents and antimycotic agents have long been known to be effective in the prevention and treatment of various infectious disorders, and are in wide clinical use today. These antibiotics can be obtained by isolation of the products of bacteria and fungi or through chemical synthesis. However, when antibiotics of the same line are used repeatedly over long periods of time, the target bacteria may acquire resistance against the antibiotic, resulting in the absence of any effect even upon drug administration. This emergence of so-called resistant bacteria has become a serious social issue.

[0003] Thus, methods have been considered to protect hosts from a perspective different from that of antibiotics. One representative example involves the concept of preventing microbial infections by activating the host's immune function. Examples of such medicine include immunopotentiators/infection defense medicines and medicines for treating infections comprising riboflavin, which is known widely as vitamin B₂, or riboflavin derivatives such as riboflavin mononucleotides, and flavinadenine dinucleotides as presented in the gazette of Japanese Kokai Publication Hei-5-201864, its corresponding U.S. Pat. No. 5,814,632 or U.S. Pat. No. 5,945,420.

[0004] Ascorbic acid, known as vitamin C, is known to have a similar action. The gazette of Japanese Kokai Publication Hei-9-301861 states the effects of ascorbic acid derivatives on bacterial shock.

[0005] Furthermore, the gazette of Japanese Kokai Publication 2000-297046 discloses the effects of sweet-potato extracts of activating the body's immunity and preventing infections.

[0006] Systemic inflammatory responses to infection such as sepsis; i.e., systemic inflammatory response syndrome to infection (SIRS) are states in which microorganisms such as bacteria or fungi that have infected a host then grow to massive quantities in vivo, followed by circulation of microorganism cells or their metabolites through the blood to circulate throughout the body. As this state progresses, the exotoxins discharged from the microorganism cells, the endotoxins that are released when the microorganism cells rupture, and the microorganism-cell constituents themselves migrate to the host's organs where they initially induce fever, enervation, and epigastric distress, followed by a lapse into multi-organ failure as the condition progresses, as well as impaired consciousness, dyspnea, and blood pressure drop, with death often resulting from the state of shock.

[0007] Consequently, potent antibiotics are administered to kill the infecting microorganisms in the initial stages of sepsis, while systemic control is pursued in the advanced stages, with adjuvants and artificial respiration performed as well as blood dialysis, blood plasma exchange and the administration of drugs such as catecholamines, but the treatment is not always effective.

[0008] Toxic shock prophylactic remedies containing vitamin B₂ have been disclosed in the gazette of Japanese Kokai Publication Hei-10-29941 recently. In addition, the gazette of Japanese Kokai Publication 2000-178246 discloses cycloalkene derivatives that are used on septic shock; the gazette of Japanese Kokai Publication 2000-80046 discloses prophylactic remedies to treat the syndromes that develop in the exacerbated state of sepsis; and the gazette of Japanese Kokai Publication 2000-302768 discloses hydrazone derivatives used in the treatment of endotoxin shock. Furthermore, the gazettes of Japanese Kokai Publication Hei-5-201864 and of Japanese Kokai Publication Hei-10-29941 disclose immunopotentiators/infection defense and/or treatment medicines and toxin shock prophylactic remedies in which riboflavin and/or riboflavin derivatives are the active ingredient, but no mention is made of reduced riboflavin.

[0009] Turning to infections from the malaria protozoa, Japanese patent publication No. Hei-6-506212 discloses that riboflavin is effective in the prevention and treatment of malaria. Furthermore, Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 44(1), 88-96, 2000, reports “Malaria protozoa proliferates by digesting hemoglobin in erythrocytes, and by oxidizing hemoglobin into methemoglobin. Treatment with riboflavin can reduce the amount of hemoglobin in the malaria protozoa since riboflavin can reduce methemoglobin to hemoglobin, resulting in obstruction of malarial protozoa growth.”

[0010] However, aforementioned immunopotentiators/infection defense and/or treatment medicines, and medicines for the prevention and/or treatment of sepsis and septic shock are not effective in all human and animal subjects, and their pharmaceutical effect is not at all adequate. Consequently, the development of immunopotentiators/infection defense and/or treatment medicines, and medicines for the prevention and/or treatment of sepsis and septic shock having a potent effect is required.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0011] The inventors have completed thorough research in light of such circumstances, the results of which have unexpectedly revealed that reduced vitamin B₂ has a more potent immunoregulating effect than aforementioned vitamin B₂, which culminated in the present invention. Specifically, reduced vitamin B₂ has been found to allow the body to maintain homeostasis by stimulating the immune system when the immunity falls due to infections, etc., and by inhibiting excess immunostimulation such as shock or inflammation response.

[0012] The present invention also relates to immunopotentiators/infection defense and/or treatment medicines, and medicines for the prevention and/or treatment of sepsis which comprise reduced vitamin B₂ (i.e., reduced riboflavin) and/or a reduced riboflavin derivative, or pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof as active ingredient. Furthermore, medicines for the prevention and/or treatment of sepsis include medicines for the prevention and/or treatment of septic shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), multiple organ failure (MOF) and/or adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). These may also be medicines for the prevention and/or treatment of toxin shock, a form of septic shock.

[0013] The present invention provides a method of immunopotentiation/infection prevention or a method of prevention and/or treatment of sepsis, septic shock or malaria which comprises administering to a subject a pharmacologically effective amount of reduced riboflavin and/or a reduced riboflavin derivative, or pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof.

[0014] In addition, the present invention provides the use of reduced riboflavin and/or a reduced riboflavin derivative, or pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof for the production of immunopotentiators/infection defense and/or treatment medicines, or medicines for the prevention and/or treatment of sepsis, septic shock or malaria.

[0015] The inventors discovered that reduced riboflavin among riboflavin derivatives has especially potent immunopotentiation/infection preventitive/therapeutic effects, sepsis prophylactic therapeutic effects, septic shock prophylactic therapeutic effects, and/or toxin shock prophylactic therapeutic effects, thereby completing the present invention.

[0016] The present invention also provides a medicine for the prevention and/or treatment of malaria comprising reduced riboflavin and/or a reduced riboflavin derivative, or pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof as active ingredient. Reduced riboflavin and/or reduced riboflavin derivatives, or pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof potently inhibit the growth of the malaria protozoa because their reduction strength is greater than that of riboflavin and/or riboflavin derivatives, or pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof.

[0017] Immunopotentiators/infection defense and/or treatment medicines, sepsis prophylactic/therapeutic medicines, septic shock prophylactic/therapeutic medicines, as well as malaria prophylactic/therapeutic medicines pursuant to the present invention include the case in which precursors of reduced riboflavin and/or reduced riboflavin derivatives, or pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof (for example, riboflavin and/or riboflavin derivatives, or pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof) are administered to a subject, whereupon they are converted in vivo into reduced riboflavin and/or reduced riboflavin derivatives, or pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof (for example, are reduced), so as to have immunopotentiation/infection prophylactic therapeutic effects, sepsis prophylactic therapeutic effects, septic shock prophylactic therapeutic effects, or malarial prophylactic therapeutic effects.

[0018] Reduced riboflavin and/or reduced riboflavin derivatives, or pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof according to the present invention denote a reduced form of members of the vitamin B₂ group without restrictions. Especially desirable examples include reduced riboflavin, flavin mononucleotides (riboflavin phosphate), flavinadenine dinucleotides, or riboflavin tetrabutyrate, or pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof. Reduced riboflavin includes leucoflavin, monohydroflavin or pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof, for example. Reduced riboflavin derivatives include leucoflavin mononucleotides (FMN-H₂), leucoflavin adenine dinucleotides (FAD-H₂), or pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof. The present invention also includes pharmacologically acceptable salts and hydrates of these reduced riboflavins.

[0019] Reduced riboflavin and/or reduced riboflavin derivatives, or pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof in the present invention can be easily produced by adding a reducing agent such as hydrosulfites or tin chloride. For example, they can be produced by the method cited in C-2278 (riboflavin section) of the twelfth revised Japan Pharmacopeial reference manual (issued 1991, Yokogawa Shoten) “This product is reduced by reduction or contact reduction using hydrosulfites or tin chloride to form leuco-type dihydroflavin (also referred to as leucoflavin) via semiquinone-type monohydroflavin”. Specifically, 120 mg of riboflavin sodium phosphate (FMN-Na) are dissolved in 400 ml of physiological saline solution, followed by the addition of 4.8 g of sodium hydrosulfite and mixture, thereby producing leucoflavin sodium phosphate (FMN-Na-H₂). Of course, the method of producing reduced riboflavin and/or reduced riboflavin derivatives, or pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof is not limited to this method.

[0020] Riboflavin, monohydroflavin and hydroflavin (leucoflavin) are mutually created by reversible oxidation/reduction reactions. In addition, riboflavin and/or reduced riboflavin derivatives or pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof are surmised to be reduced in vivo to form reduced riboflavin and/or reduced riboflavin derivatives, or pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof. Therefore, in medical applications of reduced riboflavin and/or reduced riboflavin derivatives, or pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof, subjects may be administered riboflavin and/or riboflavin derivatives, or pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof (for example, riboflavin sodium phosphate) which are then converted through in vivo metabolism into reduced riboflavin and/or reduced riboflavin derivatives, or pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof (for example, leucoflavin sodium phosphate, monohydroflavin sodium phosphate). The present invention also applies when these reduction products exhibit the pharmacological activity of the present invention.

[0021] Accordingly, the present invention provides a method of prophylaxis/treatment of the subject disorders of the present invention, which comprises administering a subject riboflavin and/or a riboflavin derivative, or pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof, followed by the generation in vivo of reduced riboflavin and/or a reduced riboflavin derivative, or pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof. Preferably, a method of prevention and/or treatment of the subject disorders of the present invention is provided which comprises administering riboflavin sodium phosphate, followed by the generation of leucoflavin sodium phosphate and/or monohydroflavin sodium phosphate in vivo.

[0022] Specifically, the present invention provides a method of immunopotentiation/infection prevention or a method of prevention and/or treatment of sepsis, septic shock or malaria by the action of reduced riboflavin and/or a reduced riboflavin derivative, or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof that is created in vivo through administering to a subject an effective amount of riboflavin and/or a riboflavin derivative, or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof.

[0023] The present invention provides immunopotentiators/infection defense and/or treatment medicines or prophylactic/therapeutic medicines for sepsis, septic shock or malaria comprising reduced riboflavin and/or a reduced riboflavin derivative, or pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof as the active ingredient, which is created in vivo through the administration of riboflavin and/or a riboflavin derivative, or pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof.

[0024] In addition, the present invention provides the use of riboflavin and/or riboflavin derivatives, or pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof for the production of a medicine useful for immunopotentiation/infection defense and/or treatment or prevention and/or treatment of sepsis, septic shock or malaria by the action of reduced riboflavin and/or a reduced riboflavin derivative, or pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof that is created in vivo through the administration of riboflavin and/or a riboflavin derivative, or pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof

[0025] The subjects of administration of medicines pursuant to the present invention are humans or animals.

[0026] The term “animal” as used herein refers to farm animals, pets and experimental animals. Farm animals are creatures that require controlled breeding, including livestock such as cows, horses, pigs, goats, sheep; fowl such as chickens, ducks, quail, turkeys, ostriches; and fish such as yellowtail, young yellowtail, red sea bream, horse mackerel, carp, rainbow trout, eels. Furthermore, pets are so-called companion animals such as dogs, cats, marmosets, song birds, hamsters, goldfish. Experimental animals are animals that are provided for research in fields such as medicine, biology, agricultural, pharmacology, including rats, guinea pigs, beagles, piglets, Rhesus monkeys, and cynomolgus monkeys.

[0027] In humans and animals, the medicine may be used as a prophylactic medicine when infection has not developed, when sepsis, septic shock or toxin shock have not developed, or it may be administered following treatment for these; and it used as a therapeutic medicine when administered post-infection or during contraction.

[0028] The term “Sepsis” as used herein refers to a state in which microbial infection has spread systemically; or a state of local or systemic microbial infection in which the exotoxins discharged from the microorganisms, the endotoxins that are released when the microorganisms rupture, and the microorganism constituents themselves spread systemically.

[0029] The term “Septic shock” as used herein refers to a state of failure of one or more organs (e.g., heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, spleen, brain, marrow) as a result of the systemic spread of aforementioned exotoxins, endotoxins or the microorganism constituents themselves, or a state in which symptoms including asthenia, vertigo, dysstasia, blood pressure drop, hypothermia, arrhythmia, ventricular fibrillation, dyspnea, convulsions, clouding of consciousness, unconsciousness are exhibited as a result of such organ failure.

[0030] The method of medicine administration of the present invention varies with the objective of administration and the symptoms, but methods of administration include intravenous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, transdermal, oral, and ocular. Intravenous, intramuscular or subcutaneous administration routes are preferable, and intravenous administration is especially preferable.

[0031] The dosage varies with the objective, type of disorder and clinical condition, but in intravenous administration, the dosage should be 0.1 to 50 mg/kg, preferably 0.3 to 20 mg/kg, most preferably 0.3 to 2 mg/kg. In intramuscular administration, the dosage should be 0.1 to 50 mg/kg, preferably 3 to 20 mg/kg. In oral administration, the dosage should be 1 to 100 mg/kg, preferably 10 to 500 mg/kg, most preferably 30 to 200 mg/kg.

[0032] The medicine pursuant to the present invention may be administered as is, or common formulation additive agents may be added to permit its administration as an injection (for intravenous administration, intramuscular administration, subcutaneous administration, intraperitoneal administration), an oral preparation (tablets, granules, powder, capsules), a transdermal preparation, or ophthalmic solution. In addition, it may be mixed with food, a feed, beverages or drinking water

[0033] In producing an injectable preparation, pH regulators, buffer agents, suspension agents, solubilizers, antioxidants, preservatives, isotonic agents and the like may be added as required to reduced riboflavin and/or reduced riboflavin derivatives, or pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof in production by conventional methods. Furthermore, the drug product may be freeze dried and used as a lyophilized preparation that is dissolved at the time of use. These injectable preparations may be administered intravenously, subcutaneously, intramuscularly or like methods.

[0034] pH Regulators and buffer agents include organic acids, inorganic acids and/or salts thereof, sodium hydroxide, meglumine, etc.; suspension agents include methyl cellulose, polysorbate 80, hydroxyethyl cellulose, gum arabic, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, etc.; solubilizers include polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, polysorbate 80, nicotinic acid amide, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, etc.; antioxidants include ascorbic acid, α-tocopherol, ethoxyquin, dibutylhydroxytoluene, butylhydroxyanisole, etc.; preservatives include paraoxymethyl benzoate, paraoxyethyl benzoate, sorbic acid, etc.; but the present invention is not restricted to these.

[0035] In producing oral preparations, excipients, binders, disintegrating agents, lubricants, coloring agents, flavoring and scenting agents, antioxidants, solubilizers and the like may be added as required to reduced riboflavin and/or reduced riboflavin derivatives, or pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof in production by conventional methods of tablets, coated tablets, granules, powder, or capsules.

[0036] Excipients include, but are not limited to, starch, corn starch, dextrin, glucose, lactose, saccharose, sugar alcohols, hydrogenated oil, mannitol, crystalline cellulose anhydrous silica, calcium silicate, dibasic calcium phosphate; binders include, but are not limited to, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, ethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, gum arabic, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, propylene glycol, sodium polyacrylate; and lubricants include magnesium stearate, talc, calcium stearate, but the present invention is not restricted to these. Antioxidants include, but are not limited to, ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol, ethoxyquin, dibutylhydroxytoluene, butylhydroxyanisole. Materials such as coloring and aromatic agents may be added, and tablets, granules and powders may have a film coating applied.

[0037] There is no specific limitation on the type of microorganisms comprising the infectious pathogens against which may be effective the administration of the inventive immunopotentiators/infection defense and/or treatment—medicines, sepsis prophylactic/therapeutic medicines, septic shock prophylactic/therapeutic medicines, or toxin shock prophylactic/therapeutic medicines comprising reduced riboflavin and/or a reduced riboflavin derivative, or pharmacologically acceptable salt as active ingredient. In general, the microorganisms include bacteria, fungi, parasites or protozoa, viruses, mycoplasma, Rickettsia, Chlamydia, etc. But the medicines of the present invention are particularly effective against bacteria, fungi, parasites or protozoa.

[0038] Bacteria on which the medicine may be effective include, for example various pathogenic coliform bacillis including, Escherichia coli; Salmonella genus members, such as Salmonella typhimurium, S. typhi, S. paratyphi, S. enteritidis, S. cholerasuis, S. gallinarum, S. abortasequi, S. abortasovis, S. dublin, etc.; Shigella genus members such as Shigella sonnei, S. dysenteriae, S. flexneri, S. boydii, etc.; Yersinia genus members such as Yersinia pestis, Y. pseudotuberculosis, Y. enterocolitica, etc.; Citrobacter genus members such as Citrobacter freundii, etc.; Haemophilus genus members such as Haemophilus somunus, H. parasuis, etc.; Actinobacillus genus members such as Actinobacillus lignieresii, etc.; Pseudomonas genus members such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, P. mallei, P. fluorescens, etc.; Bordetella genus members such as Bordetella bronchiseptica, B. pertussis, etc.; Brucella genus members such as Brucella abortus, B. melitensis, B. canis, etc.; Neisseria genus members such as Neisseria meningitidis, N. gonorrhoeae, etc.; Baceroides genus members, Fusobacterium genus members, Veillonella genus members, Campylobacter genus members such as Campylobacter fetus, C. sputorum, C. faecalis, C. jejuni, etc.; Treponema genus members, Borrelia genus members, Spirochaeta genus members, Leptospira genus members, Staphylococcus genus members such as Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, etc.; Streptococcus genus members such as Streptococcus pyogens, S. pneumoniae, S. mutanns, etc.; Enterococcos genus members such as Enterococcos faecalis, etc.; Lactococcus genus members such as Lactococcus garvidae, etc.; Bacillus genus members such as Bacillus anthracis, B. cereus, etc.; Clostridium genus members such as Clostridium perfingens, C. chauvoei, C. botulinum, C. tetani, C. septicum, etc.; Listeria genus members such as Listeria monocytogenes, etc.; Erysipelothrix genus members such as Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, etc.; Corynebacterium genus members such as Corynebacterium renale, C. cystitidis, C. pseudotuberculosis, C. diphtheriae, etc.; Mycobacterium genus members such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, M. bovis, M. kansasii, M. ulcerance, M. goldnae, M. intercellulae, M. avium, M. leprae, etc.; Actinomyces genus members, Serratia genus members such as Serratia marcescens, S. rubidaea, etc.; Vibrio genus members such as Vibrio cholerae, V. parahaemolyticus, etc.; Pasteurella genus members such as Pasteurella multocida, P. haemolytica, etc.; Enterobacter genus members such as Enterobacter cloacae, etc.; Citrobacter genus members such as Citrobacter freundii, etc.; Enterococcus genus members (including macrolide resistant bacteria) such as Enterococcus seriolicida, etc.; and Proteus genus members, but the present invention is not restricted to these.

[0039] The present invention may be also effective against various resistant bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and penicillin resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (PRSP).

[0040] Fungi against which the medicine may be effective include, for example, Aspergillus genus members such as Aspergillus fumigatus, A flavus, A. terreus, A. niger, etc.; Candida genus members such as Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, C. kurusei, C. pseudotropicalis, etc.; Histoplasma genus members such as Histoplasma capusulatum, H. fraciminosum, etc.; Microsporum genus members such as Microsporum canis, M. distortum, M. nanam, etc.; Tricophyton genus members such as Tricophyton gallinae, T. rubrum, T. equinum, etc.; Coccidioides genus members such as Coccidioides immitis, etc.; Blastomyces genus members such as Blastomyces dermatitis, etc.; and Cryptococcus genus members such as Cryptococcus neoformans, etc.; but the present invention is not restricted by the type of fungus.

[0041] Parasites against which the medicine may be effective include Plasmodium malariae which is the genus of the malaria protozoa, as well as P. vivax, P. ovale, P. falciparum, P. knowlesi, P. cynomolgi, P. brasilianum, P. gallinaceum, etc. Other parasites include Histomonas tyzzer, Trypanosma evavsi, T. hippicum, T. brucei, T. gambiense, T. cruzi, Leishmania donovani, L. tropica, Trichomonas gallinae, T. gallinarum, T. hominis, T. foetus, T. vaginalis, Giardia intestinalis, G. duodenalis, G. canis, Entamoeba histolytica, Eimeria tenella, E. necatrix, E. maxima, E. acervulina, E. brunetti, E. meleagrimitis, E. adenoeides, E. zurnii, E. ellipsoidalis, E. bovis, E. arloingi, E. parva, E. debliecki, E. spinosa, E. stiedae, E. perforans, E. magna, E. mustelae, E. vison, Isospora bigemina, I. felis, I. rivolta, Klossiellamuris, Hepatocystes kochi, Haemoproteus columbae, Leucocytozoon simondi, L. caulleryi, Babesia bigemina, B. gibsoni, B. canis, B. caballi, B. equi, Theileria parva, T. annulata, T. buffeli, T. sergenti, Anaplasma marginale, Toxoplasma gondii, Encephalitozoon levaditi, Eperythrozoon wenyoni, Sarcocystis lindemanni, S. tenella, Plagiorchis muris, Dicrocoelium dendriticum, Eurytrema pancreaticum, Fasciola hepatica, F. gigantica, F. indica, Faciolopsis buski, Metorchis orienntalis, M. akbidus, Microtrema truncatum, Centrocestus armatus, Echinostoma revolutum, Schistosoma japonicum, S. haematobium, S. mansoni, Diphyllobothunri latum, D. erinacei, Diplogonoporus grandis, Anoplocephala perforiata, A. magna, Bertiela studeri, B. mucronata, Helicometra giardi, Diplydium canium, Hymenolepis nana, H. exigua, Raillietina cesticillus, R. kashiwarensis, Taenia solium, T. pisiformis, Taeniarhynchus saginatus, Multiceps multiceps, M. serialis, Echinococcus granulosus, E. multiocularis, Trichuris vulpis, T. suis, T. trichiura, Trichinella spiralis, Dicotophyma renale, Enterobius vermicularis, Ascaris lumbricoides, A. columnaris, Neoascaris vitulorum, Parascris equorum, Toxocara canis, T. cati, Anisakis genus, Strongylus equinus, S. edentatus, S. vulgaris, Ancylostoma caninum, A. tubaeforme, A. duodenale, Necator americanus, Burgia malayi, Dirofilaria immitis, D. aculiuscula, Setaria eqina, S. digitata, S. cervi, S. marshalli, but the present invention is not restricted by the type of parasite.

[0042] Viruses against which the medicine may be effective include members of the pox virus family such as vaccinia virus, smallpox virus, monkeypox virus, Yaba monkey tumor virus, ectromelia virus, contagious ecthyma virus, bovine papular stomatitis virus, chickenpox virus, human papova virus; the herpes viral family such as herpes simplex virus, varicella zoster virus, human cytomegalovirus, malignant catarrhal fever virus, monkey B virus, EB virus, pseudorabies virus, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus, infectious laryngotracheitis virus, Marek's disease virus, canine herpes virus, feline herpes virus, swine inclusion-body rhinitis virus, carp pox virus, Oncorhyncus masou virus; the hepadnavirus family such as hepatitis B virus; the adenovirus family such as human adenovirus, bovine adenovirus, monkey adenovirus; the papova virus family such as human papilloma virus, JC virus; the parvovirus family mink such as aleutian disease virus, HB virus, feline panleukopenia virus, canine parvovirus; the reovirus family such as ibaraki virus, blue tongue virus, Colorado tick fever virus, rotavirus; the bimavirus family such as infectious bursal disease virus, infected pancreatic necrosis virus; the orthomyxo family such as influenza A virus, fowl pest virus, porcine influenza virus; the paramyxovirus family such as epidemic parotitis virus, mumps virus, measles virus, Newcastle disease virus, parainfluenza virus, canine distemper virus, RS virus; the rhabdovirus family such as rabies virus, vesicular stomatitis virus, bovine ephemeral fever virus, infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus; the filovirus family such as Marburg virus, Ebola virus; the corona virus family such as human common cold corona virus, mouse hepatitis virus, porcine infectious enterogastritis virus, fowl infectious bronchitis virus, feline infectious peritonitis virus, equine arteriitis virus, porcine reproductive respiratory syndrome virus; the Bunyavirus virus family such as hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome virus, Akabane disease virus, Rift Valley fever virus, California encephalitis virus; the togavirus family such as equine encephalitis virus, Murray valley encephalitis, rubella virus, equine arteriitis virus; the flavivirus family such as Yellow fever virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, Dengue virus; the Bhanja virus family such as Rift Valley fever virus, Akabane disease virus; the retrovirus virus family such as avian leukosis virus, avian reticuloendotheliois, feline leukosis virus, equine infectious anemia virus, human spumavirus, human T-lymphocyte virus, human immunity deficiency virus, feline acquired immune deficiency syndrome virus; the iridovirus virus family such as Lymphocystis disease virus, red sea bream iridovirus disease virus; the picomavirus family such as human Coxsackie virus, human echo virus, human polio virus, rhino virus, foot-and-mouth disease virus; African swine cholera virus, Boma disease virus, astrovirus, but the present invention is not restricted by the type of virus.

[0043] The inventive medicine may also be effective on diseases caused by proteins including bovine spongiform encephalopathy, transmitted mink spongiform encephalopathy, Scrapie, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

[0044] Mycoplasma on which the inventive medicine may be effective include Mycoplasma mycoides, M. agalactiae, M. hyopneumoniae, M. capricolum, M. pulmonis, M. gallisepicum, etc., but the present invention is not restricted by these.

[0045] Similarly, examples of Rickettsia include Rickettsia genus, Orientia genus, Coxiella genus, Ehrlichia genus, Wolbachia genus, Anaplasma genus, Haemobartonella genus, Eperythrozoon, and Bartonella genus.

[0046] Examples of Clamydia include Chlamydia trachomatis, C. pneumoniae, C. psittaci, and C. pecorum.

[0047] The present invention is not restricted by any of these examples.

[0048] Medicines according to the present invention comprising reduced riboflavin and/or a reduced riboflavin derivative, or pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof as active ingredient have a potent immunoregulating effect.

[0049] Disorders in which the administration of medicines according to the present invention comprising reduced riboflavin and/or a reduced riboflavin derivative, or pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof as active ingredient may be effective include infections due to aforementioned microorganisms. The medicines exhibit an excellent effect as immunopotentiators/infection defense and/or treatment medicines on such infections. Furthermore, they are highly effective even as prophylactic medicines for malignant tumors, blood disorders, hepatopathy, collagenosis, renal metabolic disorders, presurgical/postoperative infections.

[0050] In addition, the medicines of the invention are effective against systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) caused by systemic microbial infection, and exhibit especially excellent effects as prophylactic/therapeutic medicines for sepsis. Furthermore, their effects as prophylactic/therapeutic medicines for septic shock and toxin shock are excellent as well. They are also effective as prophylactic/therapeutic medicines for disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), multiple organ failure (MOF) and/or adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

[0051] It also exhibits excellent efficacy as a prophylactic/therapeutic medicines for malaria.

[0052] The immunoregulating effect may be efficacious on numerous disorders, including autoimmune diseases such as chronic rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematodes, Behcet's disease, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, myasthenia gravis, nodular arteriosclerosis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, atopic dermatitis, hay fever; ischemic/reperfusion obstructions such as cerebral infarction and myocardial infarction, as well as hemorrhagic shock, photosensitive dermatitis, empyema, pyometra, otitis media, peritonitis, infectious endocarditis, diarrhea, dementia, etc.

EXAMPLES

[0053] The present invention will be illustrated by the following examples, but the present invention is not intended to be limited to these examples.

Example 1 Effect on Coliform Bacillus Infection Models

[0054] Riboflavin sodium phosphate (12 mg) (FMN-Na, Japan Pharmacopeial) was dissolved in 40 ml of physiological saline solution, followed by the addition of 480 mg of sodium hydrosulfite and mixture to obtain leucoflavin phosphate ester (FMN-H₂).

[0055] Riboflavin sodium phosphate (dosages: 12.5, 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg, administered volumes 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 ml), leucoflavin phosphate ester (1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg, administered volumes 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 ml) dissolved in physiological saline solution were intraperitoneally administered to groups of ten each male mice (Slc: ICR, 8-weeks old). After 24 hours, E. Coli E01292 strain was subcutaneously inoculated at the level of 5.3×10⁷ CFU/mouse (0.2 ml suspension in physiological saline solution), and the survival rate was examined after four days. The control group was intraperitoneally administered 1.0 ml of physiological saline solution instead of drugs. The pharmaceutical effect was assessed by χ² tests. Table 1 presents the results. TABLE 1 Survival rate Survival Rate Trial Group (survival %) Control 0 (0) VB2Na 12.5 mg/kg   1 (10) VB2Na 25 mg/kg 3 (30) VB2Na 50 mg/kg 5 (50)* VB2Na 100 mg/kg  9 (90)** FMN-H₂ 1.25 mg/kg   0 (10) FMN-H₂ 2.5 mg/kg  4 (40) FMN-H₂  5 mg/kg 6 (60)** FMN-H₂ 10 mg/kg 9 (90)**

[0056] As shown in Table 1, leucoflavin phosphate ester exhibited infection preventitive effects against coliform bacillus about 10-fold greater compared to riboflavin sodium phosphate.

Example 2 Effect on Staphylococcus aureus Infection Models

[0057] Japan Pharmacopeial riboflavin sodium phosphate (FMN-Na) and the leucoflavin phosphate ester (FMN-H2) prepared in Example 1 were used.

[0058] Riboflavin sodium phosphate (dosages: 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg, administered volumes 0.25, 0.5 and 1 ml) and leucoflavin phosphate ester (dosage: 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg, administered volumes 0.25, 0.5 and 1 ml) dissolved in physiological saline solution and sterilized via filtration were intraperitoneally administered to groups of ten each male mice (Slc: ICR, 8-weeks old). After 24 hours, Staphylococcus aureus OB-72 strain was intravenously administered at the level of 8.7×10⁷ CFU/mouse (0.2 ml suspension in physiological saline solution), and the survival rate was examined after ten days. The control group was intraperitoneally administered 1.0 ml of physiological saline solution instead of drugs. The pharmaceutical effect was assessed by %2 tests. Table 2 presents the results. TABLE 2 Survival rate Survival Rate Trial Group (survival %) Control 0 (0) VB2Na 25 mg/kg 2 (20) VB2Na 50 mg/kg 4 (40) VB2Na 100 mg/kg  7 (70)** FMN-H₂ 2.5 mg/kg  3 (30) FMN-H₂  5 mg/kg 6 (60)** FMN-H₂ 10 mg/kg 8 (80)**

[0059] As shown in Table 2, leucoflavin phosphate ester exhibited infection preventitive effects against Staphylococcus aureus about 10-fold greater compared to riboflavin sodium phosphate.

Example 3 Effect on Endotoxin Shock Models

[0060] Japan Pharmacopeial riboflavin sodium phosphate (FMN-Na) and the leucoflavin phosphate ester (FMN-H₂) prepared in Example 1 were used.

[0061] Coliform bacillus E. coli serum type 0111-B4 derived ribopolysaccharide (Sigma Co., hereinafter abbreviated LPS) (15 mg/kg) dissolved in physiological saline solution was intraperitoneally administered to groups of ten each male mice (Slc: ICR, 6-weeks old).

[0062] After 6 hours, riboflavin sodium phosphate (dosages: 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg, administered volumes 0.25, 0.5 and 1 ml) and leucoflavin phosphate ester (dosage: 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg, administered volumes 0.25, 0.5 and 1 ml) dissolved in physiological saline solution and sterilized via filtration were intraperitoneally administered. The survival rate was examined after four days. The control group was intraperitoneally administered 1.0 ml of physiological saline solution instead of drugs. The pharmaceutical effect was assessed by χ² tests. Table 3 presents the results. TABLE 3 Survival rate Survival Rate Trial Group (survival %) Control 0 (0) VB2Na  5 mg/kg 3 (30) VB2Na 10 mg/kg 4 (40) VB2Na 20 mg/kg 7 (70)** FMN-H₂ 2.5 mg/kg  2 (20) FMN-H₂  5 mg/kg 6 (60)** FMN-H₂ 10 mg/kg 8 (80)**

[0063] As shown in Table 3, leucoflavin phosphate ester exhibited a life-saving effect against endotoxin shock about two-fold greater compared to riboflavin sodium phosphate. 

1. An immunopotentiator/infection defense and/or treatment medicine comprising reduced riboflavin and/or a reduced riboflavin derivative, or pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof as the active ingredient.
 2. The medicine of claim 1 wherein the reduced riboflavin is leucoflavin, monohydroflavin or pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof, and the reduced riboflavin derivatives are leucoflavin phosphate esters, leucoflavin mononucleotides, leucoflavin adenine dinucleotides, or pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof.
 3. A medicine for the prevention and/or treatment of sepsis comprising reduced riboflavin and/or a reduced riboflavin derivative, or pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof as the active ingredient.
 4. The medicine of claim 3 wherein the medicine is a medicine for the prevention and/or treatment of septic shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), multiple organ failure (MOF) and/or adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
 5. The medicine of claims 3 or 4 wherein the reduced riboflavin is leucoflavin, monohydroflavin or pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof, and the reduced riboflavin derivative is a leucoflavin phosphate ester, leucoflavin mononucleotide, leucoflavin adenine dinucleotide, or pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof.
 6. A medicine for preventing or treating septic shock comprising reduced riboflavin and/or a reduced riboflavin derivative, or pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof as the active ingredient.
 7. The medicine of claim 6 wherein the reduced riboflavin is leucoflavin, monohydroflavin or pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof, and the reduced riboflavin derivative is leucoflavin phosphate esters, leucoflavin mononucleotides, leucoflavin adenine dinucleotides, or pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof.
 8. The medicine of claims 6 or 7 wherein the septic shock is caused by a toxin.
 9. The medicine of claim 8 in which the toxin is derived from a microorganism.
 10. The medicine of claim 9 wherein the microorganism is a bacterium, a fungus, a virus or a parasite.
 11. The medicine of any one of claims 8-10 wherein the toxin is an endotoxin or exotoxin.
 12. A medicine for preventing or treating malaria comprising reduced riboflavin and/or a reduced riboflavin derivative, or pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof as the active ingredient.
 13. The medicine of claim 12 wherein the reduced riboflavin is leucoflavin, monohydroflavin or pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof, and the reduced riboflavin derivative is leucoflavin phosphate esters, leucoflavin mononucleotides, leucoflavin adenine dinucleotides, or pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof.
 14. A method of immunopotentiation/infection prevention or of prevention and/or treatment of sepsis, septic shock or malaria comprising administering to a subject a pharmacologically effective amount of reduced riboflavin and/or a reduced riboflavin derivative, or pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof.
 15. The use of reduced riboflavin and/or a reduced riboflavin derivative, or pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof for the production of an immunopotentiator/infection defense and/or treatment medicine or a medicine for the prevention and/or treatment of sepsis, septic shock or malaria.
 16. A method of immunopotentiation/infection prevention or of prevention and/or treatment of sepsis, septic shock or of malaria by the action of reduced riboflavin and/or a reduced riboflavin derivative, or pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof that is produced in vivo, which comprises administering a subject a pharmacologically effective amount of riboflavin and/or a riboflavin derivative, or pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof.
 17. An immunopotentiator/infection defense and/or treatment medicine or a medicine for the prevention and/or treatment of sepsis, septic shock or malaria comprising reduced riboflavin and/or a reduced riboflavin derivative, or pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof, that is produced in vivo through administering a subject riboflavin and/or a riboflavin derivative, or pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof, as the active ingredient.
 18. The use of riboflavin and/or a riboflavin derivative, or pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof in the production of an immunopotentiator/infection defense and/or treatment medicine or a medicine for the prevention and/or treatment of sepsis, septic shock or malaria by the action of reduced riboflavin and/or a reduced riboflavin derivative, or pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof, that is created in vivo, which comprises administering riboflavin and/or a riboflavin derivative, or pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof. 